Dispensing mechanism for use with domestic appliance



R. S. BRADEN June 6, 1967 DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR USE WITH DOMESTICAPPLIANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 15, 1964 I INVENTOR. R040)? .5.Braden BY H15 ATTORNEY June 6, 1967 R. s. BRADEN 3,

DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR USE WITH DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed Oct. 13, 19642 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

H16 AITORVVEY United States Patent 3,323,543 DISPENSING MECHANISM FGRUSE WITH DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Raiph S. Braden, Beilbrook, Ohio, assignorto General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of DelawareFiled Oct. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 403,480 7 Claims. ((11. 137--571) Thisinvention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly to animproved dispensing mechanism for use with washing apparatus.

The dispensing arrangement of this invention contemplates providing awashing machine with a rinse water conditioner containing receptacle andwith means for simply and accurately predetermining the amount ofconditioner dispensed from the receptacle after a given period of timein the cycle of operations in the washing machine. The receptacle ispreferably of sufficient size to contain enough conditioner fluid forseveral wash loads, whereby there is no need for refilling thereceptacle before each wash load.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a dispenseradapted for mounting on the door of a washing apparatus.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide adispenser mountable upon the door of a dishwasher, said door beingadapted for movement between open and closed positions whereby thedispenser is conditioned by the movement of said door for dispensing apredetermined charge of fluid.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a dispenseradapted for movement between a substantially horizontal position forcharging said dispenser and a substantially vertical position fordispensing the charge and wherein said dispenser includes a pair ofinterconnected, charge containing vessels having different heightswhereby the seeking of a common fluid level between said vesselsdispenses said charge.

A general object of this invention is the provision in a dispenser ofcommon fluid level seeking means for simply and accurately measuring anddispensing a charge therefrom.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention isclearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a dishwasher suitable for usewith this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIGURE1 and providing a top elevational view of the dispenser of thisinvention;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 and withparts broken away to show the communication between the reservoir andmeasuring cup of the dispenser;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the door mounted dispensertaken along line 4-4 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5--5 in FIGURE2;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the measuring cup of thedispenser taken along line 6--6 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary elevational view taken along line 7 in FIGURE4 and with parts broken away to show a means for venting said dispenser;and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the door mounted dispensertaken along line 8-8 in FIGURE 7.

In accordance with this invention and with reference to FIGURE 1, adishwasher 10 is illustrated having a horizontally hingedly mounted door12 on the front thereof for providing access to the dishwashing chamber.A solenoid operated water supply means 13 is provided for supplyingwater to the dishwashing chamber for washing dishes or the like. Inaddition to closing the dishwashing chamber, the door 12 may include alatch handle 14 for locking the door closed, a timer 16 for controllingthe water supply valve 13 and the operating cycle of the dishwasher, andvents 18, 20 for venting the dishwashing chamber.

With reference to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, the dishwasher door 12 is shownprovided with an outer door panel 22 and an inner door panel 24 betweenwhich the novel dispenser 26 of this invention is mounted.

More particularly, the dispenser 26 is comprised of a molded casingmeans 28 of phenolicplastic or equivalent. The casing means includeswall means 30, 32, 34 and 36 defining a reservoir or rinse conditionercontainer 38 and a threaded collar portion 40 adapted to extend throughan opening 42 in the inner door panel 24 for receiving a dipenser nut 46which lockingly mounts the dispenser to the dishwasher door 12. Thejointure between the dispenser and the inner door panel 24 is sealedagainst leakage by a gasket 47. A fill opening 48 in communication withthe reservoir 38 is threaded to receive a filler cap 50 which may beunscrewed to place a quantity of rinse conditioner into the reservoir 38when the dishwasher door 12 is in its substantially horizontal openposition with the fill opening 48 facing upwardly.

Adjacent to the reservoir 38, the molded casing 28 is formed with a pairof communicating vessels such as a measuring cup 52 and a dispensingchamber 54 in communication with each other or interconnected by meansof a duct 56 which is formed by drilling through the casing means-thedrill opening in the outside of the casing means being closed by adispenser plug 58. The fluid passageway, formed by the pair ofinterconnected vessels 52, 54, communicates with the reservoir 38 bymeans of a measuring cup fill passage 60' interconnecting the reservoir38 and the measuring cup 52. The dispensing chamber 54 communicates withthe dishwashing chamber 62 through an annular rib or valve seat formingoutlet 64 and a gravity chute 66 in the collar portion 40 of thedispenser (FIGURE 5). Thus, when the dishwasher door 12 is in itshorizontal position, the measuring cup fill passage 60 directs fluidfrom the reservoir 38 to the measuring cup 52, the measuring cup 52being lower than the wall 30 of the reservoir 38 (FIGURE 3). When thedishwasher door is returned to its closed or vertical position, themeasuring cup 52, as well as the dispensing chamber 54 and theinterconnecting duct 56 lWlll be filled with fluid, the excess fluidreturning to the reservoir 38 over the ledge 70 separating the measuringcup from the reservoir and forming one side of the fill passage 60between the reservoir and the measuring cup. Note in FIGURES 5 and 6that fluid will stand in the measuring cup 52 at the elevation of itsinlet opening 53 as defined by the ledge 70 a distance A above the levelof fluid in the dispensing chamber at the valve seat forming outletopening 64 thereof.

Periodically in a dishwashing cycle, a measured quantity of fluid may bedispensed from the dispenser 26. For this purpose, the molded casingmeans 28 is formed with a valve housing 72 closed on one side thereof bya dispenser lid 76 which extends across the top of the dispenser andalso defines one side of the reservoir 38. This lid may be fastened tothe casing as by fastening means 77 with a gasket (not shown)circumscribing the jointure between the lid and casing to effect a seal.A plunger or valve means 7 8 in the valve housing 72 includes a valveportion 80 having a flat, annular valve gasket 82 in sealing engagementwith the valve seat forming outlet 64- and an actuating stem 84jo-urnaled or slidably supported in the dispenser lid 76 and extendingoutside of the valve housing 72 for attachment to a bimetal plungeractuator 86.

In accordance with the timer controlled energization of .the electricalterminals 88, 90 of the bimetal 86, the valve 78 will be lifted to openthe outlet 64 of the dispensing chamber 54. When this occurs, the headof fluid A (FIGURE 5) formed between the overflow ledge 70 at themeasuring cup and the outlet 64 of the dispensing chamber will, inseeking a common level with the fluid in the dispensing chamber,dispense a measured quantity of fluid to the dishwashing chamber 62 viathe chute 66.

Note that the valve means 78 is remote from the fluid being dispensedrather than submerged therein as in some prior art devices. Thisimproved arrangement will prevent the valve means from becoming corrodedor stuck by the deleterious characteristics of the fluid beingdispensed. Such a remote location for the valve means also eliminatesthe need for sealing means around the actuating shaft 84 where it isjournaled in the dispenser lid 76. No fluid in the dispenser everreaches this jointure.

Improved operation of the dispenser under widely ranging temperatureconditions is facilitated by venting the reservoir 38 and the measuringcup 52. For this reason a vent passage 92 is formed in the casting meansinterconnecting the .top of the reservoir 38 above the fluid with theatmosphere. Another vent 94 interconnects the passageway 60 between thereservoir and the measuring cup to the atmosphere through a washer 96having a controlled size orifice leading to a channel 98.

It should now be seen that the dispenser 26 once charged with a load ofrinse conditioner in the reservoir 38 will act for an extended period todispense measured quantities of the conditioner to the dishwashingchamber under the control of a timer operated bimetal 86. Further, thedispenser is provided with a metered charge each time the dishwasherdoor is moved between open and closed positions. Moreover, the operatingparts of the dispenser of this invention are retained in a cleanatmosphere remote from the fluid being dispensed by utilizing theconcept that fluid will seek a common level in a pair of communicatingvessels having different lengths.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosedconstitutes a preferred form, it is .to be understood that other formsmight be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In combination with a water-using appliance having a tub, a door forsaid tub, said door being hinged for movement between first and secondpositions, and timer means for controlling the operation of saidappliance; a dispenser mounted in fixed relationship to said door formovement therewith between said first and second positions andcomprising means forming a reservoir for containing a supply of liquid,means forming first and second vessels in fixed relation to each otherand interconnected for liquid flow therebetween, said first vessel beingat an elevation below said reservoir when said dispenser is in saidfirst position, each of said first and second vessels having an openingat an elevation above the interconnection of said vessels and one ofsaid openings being at an elevation above the other of said openingswhen said dispenser is in said second position, said one of saidopenings communicating with said reservoir for filling said first vesselwith liquid from said reservoir when said dispenser is in said firstposition, said first vessel configured to retain a fill of said liquidat the same elevation as said one of said openings when said dispensermoves from said first position to said second position, and the other ofsaid openings selectively communicating with said tub for dispensingliquid from said second vessel when said dispenser is in said secondposition, and valve means operable for placing said second vessel incommunication with said tub when said dispenser is in said secondposition, whereby the weight of liquid in said first vessel between theelevation of said one of said openings and the elevation of said otherof said openings when said dispenser is in said second position forcesat least some of the liquid in said second vessel upwardly and towardsaid tub as the level of liquid in said first vessel moves toward thelevel of liquid in said second vessel, and means controlled by saidtimer means for operating said valve means at a predetermined time inrelation to the operation of said appliance.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said valve means is downstreamfrom said other of said openings.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said valve means includes a shaftat an elevation above said other of said openings when said dispenser isin said second position, thereby to remain out of engagement with saidliquid when said at least some of the liquid from said second vessel isbeing forced toward said tub.

4-. In a dispenser adapted for movement between a substantiallyhorizontal position for charging said dispenser with fluid to bedispensed and a substantially vertical position for dispensing, thecombination comprising means forming a reservoir for containing saidfluid, means forming first and second vessels in fixed relation to eachother and interconnected by a duct for fluid flow therebetween, saidfirst vessel being at an elevation below said reservoir when saiddispenser is in said substantially horizontal position, each of saidfirst and second vessels having an opening at an elevation above saidduct and one of said openings being at an elevation above the other ofsaid openings when said dispenser is in said substantially verticalposition, said one of said openings communicating with said reservoirfor filling said first vessel with fluid by gravity flow from saidreservoir when said dispenser is in said substantially horizontalpositilon, said first vessel having means separating said first vesseland said reservoir and defining the elevation of said one of saidopenings to retain a fill of said fluid at the elevation of said one ofsaid openings when said dispenser moves from said substantiallyhorizontal position to said substantially vertical position, and theother of said openings selectively communicating with the outside ofsaid dispenser for depensing fluid from said second vessel when saiddispenser is in said substantially vertical position, and means forplacing said second vessel in communication with the outside when saiddispenser is in said substantially vertical position whereby the seekingof a common fluid elevation in said first and second vessels dispensesfluid from said second vessel, the volume of fluid dispensed beingequivalent to the volume of said first vessel defined between theelevation of said one of said openings and the elevation of said otherof said openings when said dispenser is in said substantially verticalposition.

5. In a dispenser adapted for movement between a first position forcharging said dispenser with fluid to be dispensed and a second positionfor dispensing, the combination comprising means forming a reservoir forcontaining said fluid, means forming first and second vessels in fixedrelation to each other and interconnected for fluid flow therebetween,said first vessel being at an elevation below said reservoir when saiddispenser is in said first position, each of said first and secondvessels having an opening at an elevation above the interconnection ofsaid vessels and one of said openings being at an elevation above theother of said openings when said dispenser is in said second position,said one of said openings communicating with said reservoir for fillingsaid first vessel with fluid from said reservoir when said dispenser isin said first position, said first vessel configured to retain a fill ofsaid fluid at the same elevation as said one of said openings when saiddispenser moves from said first position to said second position, andthe other of said openings selectively communicating with the outside ofsaid dispenser for dispensing fluid from said second vessel when saiddispenser is in said second position, and means for placing said secondvessel in communication with the outside when said dispenser is in saidsecond position whereby the seeking of a common fluid elevation in saidfirst and second vessels dispenses fluid from said second vessel, .thevolume of fluid dispensed being equivalent to the volume of said firstvessel defined between the elevation of said one of said openings andthe elevation of said other of said openings when said dispenser is insaid second position.

6. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein said last named means is a valvemeans at an elevation above said other of said openings when saiddispenser is in said second position thereby to be substantially remotefrom the deleterious effects of said fluid when fluid is dispensed.

7. In a dispenser adapted for movement between a first position forcharging said dispenser with fluid to be dispensed and a second positionfor dispensing, the combination comprising means forming a reservoir forcontaining said fluid, means forming first and second vessels in fixedrelation .to each other and interconnected for fluid flow therebetween,said first vessel being at an elevation below said reservoir when saiddispenser is in said first position, each of said first and secondvessels having an opening at an elevation above the interconnection ofsaid vessels and one of said openings being at an elevation above theother of said openings when said dispenser is in said second position,said one of said openings communicating with said reservoir for fillingsaid first vessel with fluid from said reservoir when said dispenser isin said first position, said means forming said first vessel includingmeans to retain a fill of said fluid at the same elevation as said oneof said openings when said dispenser moves from said first position tosaid second position, and the other of said openings selectivelycommunicating with .the outside of said dispen'ser for dispensing fluidfrom said second vessel when said dispenser is in said second position,and valve means operable for placing said second vessel in communicationwith the outside when said dispenser is in said second position, wherebythe weight of fluid in said first vessel between the elevation of saidone of said openings and the elevation of said other of said openingswhen said dispenser is in said second position forces at least some ofthe fluid in said second vessel upwardly toward the outside of saiddispenser as the level of fluid in said first vessel moves downwardlytoward the level of fluid in said second vessel. 1

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,576,253 11/1951 Farrell 137-5762,946,489 7/ 1960 Brucken 222-454 2,973,769 3/1961 Jacobs 134933,152,723 10/ 1964 Perl 222--16O M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

W. CLINE, Assistant Examiner.

5. IN A DISPENSER ADAPTED FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION FORCHARGING SAID DISPENSER WITH FLUID TO BE DISPENSED AND A SECOND POSITIONFOR DISPENSING, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING MEANS FORMING A RESERVOIR FORCONTAINING SAID FLUID, MEANS FORMING FIRST AND SECOND VESSELS IN FIXEDRELATION TO EACH OTHER AND INTERCONNECTED FOR FLUID FLOW THEREBETWEENSAID FIRST VESSEL BEING AT AN ELEVATION BELOW SAID RESERVOIR WHEN SAIDDISPENSER IS IN SAID FIRST POSITION, EACH OF SAID FIRST AND SECONDVESSELS HAVING AN OPENING AT AN ELEVATION ABOVE THE INTERCONNECTION OFSAID VESSELS AND ONE OF SAID OPENINGS BEING AT AN ELEVATION ABOVE THEOTHER OF SAID OPENINGS WHEN SAID DISPENSER IS IN SAID SECOND POSITION,SAID ONE OF SAID OPENINGS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID RESERVOIR FOR FILLINGSAID FIRST VESSEL WITH FLUID FROM SAID RESERVOIR WHEN SAID DISPENSER ISIN SAID FIRST POSITION, SAID FIRST VESSEL CONFIGURED TO RETAIN A FILL OFSAID FLUID AT THE SAME ELEVATION AS SAID ONE OF SAID OPENINGS WHEN SAIDDISPENSER MOVES FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION, ANDTHE OTHER OF SAID OPENINGS SELECTIVELY COMMUNICATING WITH THE OUTSIDE OFSAID DISPENSER FOR DISPENSING FLUID FROM SAID SECOND VESSEL WHEN SAIDDISPENSER IS IN SAID SECOND POSITION, AND MEANS FOR PLACING SAID SECONDVESSEL IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE OUTSIDE WHEN SAID DISPENSER IS IN SAIDSECOND POSITION WHEREBY THE SEEKING OF A COMMON FLUID ELEVATION IN SAIDFIRST AND SECOND VESSELS DISPENSES FLUID FROM SAID SECOND VESSEL, THEVOLUME OF FLUID DISPENSED BEING EQUIVALENT TO THE VOLUME OF SAID FIRSTVESSEL DEFINED BETWEEN THE ELEVATION OF SAID ONE OF SAID OPENINGS ANDTHE ELEVATION OF SAID OTHER OF SAID OPENINGS WHEN SAID DISPENSER IS INSAID SECOND POSITION.